In the evening, the sky gradually darkened.
The black and white flowers from the Hidden Cloud Village sat at the same table with Naruto. After a while, the waiter placed three bowls of hot beef noodle soup in front of them.
Naruto pulled apart the disposable chopsticks, clasped his hands together, and said, "I'm starting to eat," then lowered his head and began slurping the noodles. He was in a good mood, eating heartily.
Mabui had no appetite and only ate a few bites symbolically. Her attention was always on Naruto, a boy who was half a head shorter than her.
"Can he really do it at such a young age? Why would a little kid have thoughts like this?" Mabui couldn't understand, but now wasn't the time to analyze a child's strange thoughts.
Turning her head to look at Samui, who was also eating noodles quietly, Mabui saw the other's calm expression and felt slightly reassured.
She could have asked Samui directly about these things. But she had just insulted Samui during the day, and asking for help now felt humiliating. So, she kept her questions to herself.
She figured maybe Naruto didn't understand much at all and was just curious about the opposite sex due to his age.
But no matter the reason, if it benefited the village, she was willing to go along.
"Cough, cough!" Mabui cleared her throat to remind Samui it was time to act.
"This is Naruto-kun, the genius boy of Konoha," Samui said, putting down her chopsticks to introduce Naruto.
Mabui nodded politely. Though they knew of each other, this was their first face-to-face conversation.
"Naruto-kun, this is Mabui."
Naruto had finished his noodles. He wiped his mouth with a tissue and said softly, "Hello."
"Hello!"
To be honest, Mabui had a good first impression of Naruto. His blue eyes were clear, his long blonde hair rested gently on his shoulders, his long lashes blinked slowly, and he'd been quiet and polite since he sat down.
People naturally like beautiful things. Seeing an attractive face makes people wonder if they want to dream about them that night.
Even Mabui thought so, though she was more serious than most.
Despite hearing of Naruto's dark deeds, she couldn't help but see him as a shy bookish boy when she looked at him.
It was hard to picture this boy as a battlefield demon who mercilessly slaughtered and abused prisoners.
Naruto noticed Mabui glancing at him from time to time, then looking away when caught.
Though both were from the Hidden Cloud, Mabui's attitude was very different from Samui's when she first met him.
"He has the talent and face to attract women. But even with that, it wasn't enough to crush Samui's hatred before she was corrupted."
"I wonder if I can defeat Mabui's hatred using only my talents and looks."
As Naruto thought this, he observed Mabui. Her delicate features, graceful aura, and elegant curves beneath her gray uniform were quite alluring.
"After dinner, shall we go for a walk?" Samui asked.
"I'm fine with it. What about you, Naruto-kun?" Mabui asked.
"Sure," Naruto replied and stood up.
He wasn't interested in dinner with them, but he'd promised Samui to go through with everything.
The three of them left the noodle shop together. But without the distraction of food, the silence became awkward.
Eventually, Samui couldn't bear the tension. She leaned close to Mabui and whispered, "Mabui, we need his help. Stop acting like he's courting you. Be more proactive."
Mabui froze, then realized the atmosphere had indeed felt off.
Because Samui had told her Naruto invited her, she subconsciously assumed the upper hand and didn't take the initiative.
She was used to being pursued—secretary to the Raikage, high status, and always surrounded by suitors.
But she wasn't foolish. Mabui frowned in thought for a moment, then moved closer to Naruto and started a conversation.
"Naruto-kun, I heard you placed first in the Chunin Exams?"
"Yeah."
"That's amazing! Much better than I was at your age."
"Really."
Mabui twitched slightly. She could sense Naruto's arrogance.
Impression score: -1.
"Becoming a Jonin so young is really impressive."
"I think so too," Naruto said.
"..."
Not humble at all?
"I also heard Hokage-sama trusts you a lot and might be training you as her successor."
"You're wrong," Naruto said flatly.
"Eh? Isn't that possible?"
Naruto raised his chin. "I don't think I might become Hokage. I will become Hokage."
He eyed her face and figure and added, "And then it'll be easy to find ten or eight secretaries with your standards."
"..."
What's it like talking to a conceited kid? Like eating shit.
Naruto shattered her initial positive impression within seconds.
Still, Mabui was determined to win him over. The village desperately needed Konoha to ease sanctions.
If Konoha's demands stood, the Hidden Cloud would barely maintain its status among the Five Great Nations.
The evening breeze blew her hair. Mabui tucked a strand behind her ear and smiled. "It's natural for a genius like Naruto-kun to have many secretaries. Those who serve you must be really lucky."
"Yeah, people will envy them," Naruto said.
Looking at his proud expression, Mabui realized he was just a quiet, narcissistic jerk.
Flattery worked on him. That made things simpler.
Unbeknownst to her, Samui wore a disgusted expression despite laughing inwardly.
They walked for about thirty minutes. Mabui spent that entire time flattering Naruto.
At last, Samui frowned and said coldly, "You two continue talking. I have something to do."
Without caring about Mabui's reaction, she left without a word.
Mabui watched her go, a flash of dissatisfaction in her eyes. That woman had done nothing to help, and now she just left?
"Naruto-kun, don't mind her. Let's keep talking," she said with a bright smile.
But Naruto had lost interest. He looked at her calmly. "Why don't you just say what you came to talk about? I'm done walking."
"Everyone's seen me walking with a Cloud ninja this long. Who knows what rumors they'll spread."
Mabui blinked. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go to your room."
Naruto raised an eyebrow but said nothing and started walking.
Mabui followed quickly.
Just as they left, Samui appeared in the shadows and waved.
A ninja with a camera emerged beside her.
"Lady Samui, everything's been recorded, even Mabui's expressions."
"Good. Give me the camera. You're dismissed."
Camera in hand, Samui scanned her surroundings, then headed to Naruto's temporary quarters.
Naruto's room was clean and tidy, unlike a typical boy's mess.
But as soon as they entered, Mabui caught a strange smell—faintly fishy, but hard to describe. Not strong, but unpleasant.
She frowned slightly before smoothing her expression.
Naruto noticed and felt a rare twinge of embarrassment.
It was the smell of madness.
He had forgotten to air the room.
"Let's talk," Mabui said softly.
"Go ahead," Naruto nodded.
"Now that it's just us, I'll be blunt. Since you like beautiful women, how about a deal?"
"What kind of deal?"
"You're probably restricted in Konoha. So, we'll send merchants from the Land of Lightning to settle there. On the surface, they'll do business. Secretly, they'll help you."
Naruto frowned. The script was off. Wasn't Mabui supposed to offer herself?
"Wait. Tell me exactly what you're proposing."
Naruto sat at a small table. Mabui followed, took out glasses, a pen, and a piece of paper.
"Hidden Cloud will pay to build a compound in Konoha. Each year, we'll select twenty women matching your preferences from around the world and send them to serve you."
"We'll handle all expenses. Plus, we'll send you money annually. All we ask is that you agree to the terms you proposed yesterday."
Mabui smiled confidently. She had no desire to sacrifice herself. Her plan was efficient—give Naruto women he liked, but not herself.
Naruto crossed his legs and forced a smile.
"You want to use my money to build me a compound and fill it with women? Clever."
At that moment, a clear voice echoed in his mind.
[Passive choice triggered!]
[Mabui doesn't want to submit to you and made other plans. What will you do?]
[Option 1: Be friendly. Reward: Scorch Style: Over-steaming Kill.]
[Option 2: Stay rational. Reward: Lightning chakra.]
[Option 3: Act recklessly. Reward: 16% control of Nine-Tails.]
[Option 4: Be ruthless. Reward: Sage Mode.]
Naruto smiled and said, "I think you misunderstood. Samui should've told you I want you, right?"
Mabui froze. "Haha, compared to me, my offer is better. I'm just one woman. I promise to deliver twenty a year."
"No. I want you."
"I promise the girls I pick won't be worse than me."
"No. I want you."
Naruto stared directly at her. Mabui tried offering more—forty, then fifty women a year, even princesses.
But Naruto only wanted her.
"Tell me why," Mabui finally asked.
Naruto smiled, resting his chin in his hands. "You're the most beautiful black girl I've ever seen. I see stars in your eyes."
"...What?" Mabui blinked, stunned.
Naruto repeated, "You're the most beautiful black girl I've ever seen. I see stars in your eyes."
Her face turned red.